15 Indian tourists dead as boat sinks near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island; 10 from TN

At least 15 Indian tourists are feared to have died after a tourist speedboat capsized near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island on Saturday (July 11). Twenty-one people were rescued and taken to hospital, including two in critical condition, according to the state media.

The speedboat was reportedly carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members from Hon May Rut to An Thoi Port when it overturned around 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai, throwing all 36 people into the sea.

Indian officials rush assistance

Citing preliminary information from authorities in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, the report said nearby tourist boats were the first to respond before teams from the border guards, navy, coast guard, and other emergency agencies launched a large-scale search-and-rescue operation.

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The Indian Ambassador, accompanied by Embassy officials, is en route to Phu Quoc Island to oversee consular assistance, coordinate with Vietnamese authorities, and support the affected Indian nationals. “In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists has capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago. Exact details of the incident are being ascertained as search and rescue operations by local authorities are ongoing,” the embassy said in a post on X.

Embassy confirms tourist identities

The embassy later shared the names of the Indian tourists who were on board the boat that capsized near Phu Quoc Island. The embassy said it is ascertaining further details about the casualties and will provide updates soon.

The embassy said dedicated control rooms have been established at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City and the Embassy in Hanoi to provide information and assistance to the families of those affected.

Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has expressed profound shock over reports that some tourists from the Telugu states were killed in the boat accident. On receiving information about the incident involving Indian tourists, the chief minister immediately alerted officials and directed them to ascertain the details. He also instructed the chief secretary to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy to expedite relief measures and ensure all necessary assistance is provided.

The Telangana government’s General Administration (NRI) Department has set up a control room following the incident. The control room has been established to coordinate rescue and assistance efforts and provide information to the families of those affected by the incident. People seeking information or assistance can contact the control room on 9885371189, 7997959754, 9989654807, or 7997959779.

10 from Tamil Nadu, 2 from Andhra, 2 from Kerala

Ten of the deceased tourists were from Tamil Nadu, news agency PTI reported citing an unnamed official. Two were from Andhra Pradesh, PTI reported citing sources in the state government. Three others from the state were hospitalised in Vietnam following the incident. Two others were from Kerala’s Kottarakkara.

“Preliminary information indicates that two persons from Machilipatnam are among the deceased. We are coordinating with the Indian Embassy and the Vietnamese authorities, and further details will be shared after official confirmation,” Andhra Pradesh sources told PTI.

Three other people from the state were hospitalised following the boat capsize, the sources added. Preliminary reports indicated that Jalalakshmi and Jayashree, both from Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, were among the deceased.

Verification of the identities of other affected Indian nationals was underway, the sources said.

PM Modi expresses grief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the deaths of Indian nationals in the boat tragedy and said that Indian missions are providing all possible help. “Extremely saddened to learn about the tragic news of a boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc, Vietnam,” Modi said in a post on X.

The prime minister also said that the Indian Embassy and Consulate are providing all possible assistance. “Our officials are also in close contact with the Vietnamese authorities,” he said. Expressing his sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, Modi said he prays for the early recovery of the injured survivors.

Rescue operations

According to local reports, the vessel overturned near Phu Quoc Island. Media reports quoted a rescuer as saying that his boat reached the site within minutes of the accident, but the operation proved difficult as several passengers were trapped inside the overturned vessel.

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“Only a few people were brought out conscious,” the boat operator was quoted as saying.

The report said sea conditions near An Thoi were rough at the time of the accident. Since there was no rainfall, tourist boats continued operating in the area despite choppy waters.

The accident comes nearly a year after another major boating tragedy in Vietnam. In July 2025, a tourist boat carrying 48 people, including at least 20 children, capsized in Ha Long Bay during a sudden storm, killing 35 people.